Toilet with a modular vacuum flush system

ABSTRACT

A toilet bowl ( 10 ), a tank ( 20 ) for the reception of a quantity of wastewater, a cut-off valve ( 12 ) between the bowl outlet and the tank inlet, a vacuum generator ( 22 ) connected to the tank ( 20 ), a tank inlet valve ( 23 ) for the inlet of pressurized air to the tank, a tank discharge valve ( 21 ), a plurality of electrically-operated valves and control means ( 4 ); these elements are grouped into at least a first module ( 1 ) which includes the toilet bowl ( 10 ) and the cut-off valve ( 12 ) at the outlet from the toilet bowl, a second module ( 2 ) which includes the tank ( 20 ), the vacuum generator ( 22 ), the tank inlet valve ( 23 ) for pressurized air and the tank discharge valve ( 21 ), and a third module ( 3 ) which includes said electrically-operated valves, and in that within each module the elements are joined together and have fixed connections between each other, while between one module and another there are fast-on hydraulic and pneumatic connections.

The present invention relates to a toilet with modular vacuum-disposalsystem which includes a toilet bowl, a tank for the reception of aquantity of wastewater, a cut-off valve between the bowl outlet and thetank inlet, a vacuum generator connected to the tank, a tank inlet valvefor the inlet of pressurized air to the tank, a tank discharge valve, aplurality of electrically-operated valves and control means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of vacuum-disposal toilets are known, for example forrailways and the line. Such systems are generally installed at locationsin which it is advisable to limit both the size and the consumption ofthe devices, and the design of the systems have been improving in thisrespect.

In particular, the toilets and their associated disposal systems havebeen made more compact, and a disposal system has been developed whichhas an intermediate wastewater tank associated with each toilet, insidewhich it is possible to cause selectively either a vacuum to suck in acharge of wastewater contained in the toilet, or a pressure higher thanatmospheric pressure in order to expel the contents from the tank.

This partial vacuum and partial pressure design has reduced theconsumption and size of the devices of the disposal system; however,especially while trying to make the systems more compact so that theyoccupy less space, assembly and maintenance have been made moredifficult. For example, when one of the parts of the system has to bereplaced or repaired, a large section of the assembly has to bedisassembled, an operation which can take time, and it further requiresthat the maintenance personnel carry a high number of replacement parts.

In some cases, installation of the equipment is also a laboriousoperation, since the parts have to be fitted one after the other and allthe connections made between them.

In the known compact systems which can be entirely factory-assembledbefore they are installed on the railway carriage or the like,installation is simplified, but the problem of maintenance isaggravated, because maintenance is either very complex or requirescomplete replacement of the equipment in the event of breakdown, thelatter being a very costly solution.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to solve the mentioned drawbacksby developing a toilet with modular vacuum-disposal system which acompact and occupies a small space, while being at the same easy andinexpensive to assemble and maintain.

Another object is that the system can be adapted to the space availablein each case, and that after installation it allows the addition offurther modules, for example in order to increase its performance.

In accordance with these objectives, the toilet with vacuum-disposalsystem of this invention is characterised in that the aforesaid elementsare grouped into at least a first module which includes the toilet bowland the cut-off valve at the outlet from the toilet bowl, a secondmodule which includes the tank, the vacuum generator, the tank inletvalve for pressurized air and the tank discharge valve, and a thirdmodule which includes said electrically-operated valves, and in thatwithin each module the elements are joined together and have fixedconnections between each other, while between one module and anotherthere are fast-on hydraulic and pneumatic connections.

This modular system occupies a small space and at the same time allowssimple and fast installation and maintenance operations. It thus solvesthe disadvantages mentioned in relation with installation andmaintenance of the equipment, while it also presents other advantages,such as the ease with which the equipment can be extended afterinstallation in order to improve its performance, and a remarkableimprovement in industrialisation of the system, thanks to thepossibility of manufacturing some basic modules and combining them indifferent ways according to the specific needs of each case.

The modularity of the equipment also facilitates the incorporation ofadditional functions, such as an anti-freeze module, in cases where suchare necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, the equipment further includes a fourthmodule, made up of all the control elements, and a fifth module whichincludes a pump for discharge of cleaning water to the toilet bowl.

Preferably, each module also includes at least some of the accessoryelements of its components.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the second module ismounted on a supporting frame which is attached in a suitable location,and the first module is mounted on the second module by means of twoside supports, the toilet bowl being mounted adjacent to the tank.

Thus, the module with the bowl and its outlet valve, which is one of themost prone to fail, can be easily removed for replacement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of all that has been outlined some drawingsare attached which, schematically and solely by way of non-restrictiveexample, show a practical case of embodiment.

In said drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a toilet with modular vacuum-disposalsystem in accordance with the invention, with its parts separated;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the system of FIG. 1, with somemodules assembled; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, to which the pneumaticmodule and the water pump module have been added.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the main elements of the toilet systemof the invention and the connections between them.

The system comprises: a first module 1 which includes the toilet bowl10, a cleaning water supply system 11, a valve 12 associated with theoutlet from the bowl, and its accessories; a second module 2 made up ofa tank 20, its discharge valve 21 and the vacuum generating ejector 22,for creating a vacuum in the tank in order to carry the contents of thetoilet bowl towards the tank; a pneumatic module 3, which includes anumber of electrically-operated valves for driving the various elements;a control module 4, which contains all the electrical and electroniccontrols of the system; and a pump module 5, consisting in the pump 50which discharges the cleaning water into the bowl and its associatedaccessories.

The tank 20 has a capacity of about 5 liters (although thischaracteristic is not restrictive), and it constitutes an intermediatetank between the bowl and a larger tank (not shown) which can beconnected to several toilets, in such a way that the tank 20 is emptiedat intervals and the wastewater goes on to the final tank.

The pumping module 5 is not a part of the disposal system as such, butit is advisable also to integrate it into the installation; it is alsoconnected to the pneumatic module 4 and is housed physically adjacent tothe other modules.

The toilet includes a base frame 6 to which is fixed the intermediatetank module 2; on the latter are mounted the other modules of thesystem, using for example brackets, flanges and bolts.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the various modules are connected toeach other by means of suitable pipes: the pump 50 is connected throughrespective water pipes L1 and L2 to the water network (not shown) and tothe system 11 of water supply to the toilet bowl; the bowl outlet valve12, once the system has keen fitted, is connected directly to the tankinlet 20; and the electrically-operated valves of the pneumatic module 3are connected through pneumatic lines L3 to L7 to the various elementsthey have to actuate. The module 3 is connected through a line L8 to asource of air under pressure.

All the couplings between the various elements, both pneumatic andhydraulic, are implemented with fast-on connections, that is, snap-onconnections or the like.

In its turn, the control module 4 has cables for connection to theelectrically-operated valves of module 3, to auxiliary elements of thesystem, such as sensors and the like, and to the button for actuatingdischarge of water into the toilet bowl. These electrical connectionsare conventional and have not been shows, in order to avoidcomplications in the figure.

FIG. 2 shows the system with the two main modules fitted.

Module 1 includes, in addition to the toilet bowl 10 and the cut-offvalve 12 for opening and closing passage of wastewater from the bowl 10to the tank 20, a lubricator 13. The valve 12 includes a correspondingactuator (not visible in the figure, since it is behind the valveitself) connected to the pneumatic module 3. The cleaning water feedpipe 11 is installed at the upper part of the bowl, forming part ofmodule 1. It has a fast-on connection 14 to line L2 for attachment tothe pump 50, and branch lines 15 for supplying water to various pointsof the bowl.

Module 1 is attached on module 2 of the tank through side supports 16,one of which is visible in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Module 2 with the intermediate tank 20, which is mounted on thesupporting frame 6, also includes the ejector 22, a pressurized-airinlet valve 23, with which are associated a sensor and pressureregulator, and a discharge valve 21 for draining the tank 20.

The ejector 22 and the inlet valve 23 are mounted on the tank 20, whilethe cut-off valve 21 is connected at the lower part thereof. The outletpipe 24 from the valve 21 is connected to a discharge pipe leading toanother tank (not shown) of larger capacity, to which several toiletscan be connected.

The function of the ejector 22 is to create a temporary vacuum in thetank, synchronised with the opening of the valve 12 and with thedischarge of cleaning water into the toilet bowl, for the purpose ofcarrying the wastewater from the bowl to the tank.

The function of the pressurized-air inlet valve 23 is to allow the entryof air under pressure into the tank 20, in synchronisation with openingof the discharge valve 21, in order to drain the tank 20. The pressureregulator associated with the valve 23 limits the pressure in the tankto a predetermined value, such as 2 bar.

FIG. 3 shows the toilet with all modules fitted to the system, exceptfor the control module 4, which would normally be installed separatelyfrom the toilet.

As can be seen in this figure, in the embodiment shown the pneumaticmodule 3 and the pump module 5 are mounted one on top of the other, onone side of the toilet bowl 10.

The modular toilet described is mounted onto a railway carriage usingthe pre-assembled modules described. Firstly, module 2 of the tank isinstalled, and then module 1 of the bowl 10 is mounted on top of it,followed by the pump module 5 and the pneumatic module 3. The modulesare attached using supports and bolted fittings easy to access.

Finally, all the connections between the different modules are made bymeans of pipes and fast-on connectors of known type.

If it is wished to include additional accessories, such ashigher-performance components, control programs with more features,maintenance management programs, communication with a central computer,or a component to prevent freezing, then the modular nature of thesystem makes such additions easier.

The operation of the system is as follows. When a user presses thecleaning water discharge (flush) button, the pump 50 pumps water to thebowl through the feed pipe 11; at the same time, the bowl outlet valve12 opens and the ejector 22 actuates to create a depression in the tankin order to “suck” the wastewater from the bowl into the tank. At theend of the operation, the ejector stops and the valve 12 closes again.

Next, in a separate operation, the tank 20 is drained. To that end, withthe valve 12 closed, the discharge valve 21 is opened and pressure isprovided to the tank through the air inlet valve 23.

The entire process is governed by the control means 4, on the basis ofprogramming parameters and reading of suitable sensors.

In the event of a fault in one of the modules, and if the fault callsfor more than elementary work, it is quick and easy to disconnect thepipes associated with that module, remove it and fit a new module in itsplace.

Although one specific embodiment of this invention has been describedand shown, it will be obvious that an expert in the subject would beable to make changes and modifications, or replace details by othersthat are technically equivalent, without departing from the scope ofprotection defined by the appended claims.

For example, it should be taken into account that the system includesother conventional elements, which have not been shown in order to avoidcomplicating the drawings, and which could be associated physically withany of the modules described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toilet with modular vacuum-disposal system,which includes a toilet bowl (10), a tank (20) for the reception of aquantity of wastewater, a cut-off valve (12) between the bowl outlet andthe tank inlet, a vacuum generator (22) connected to the tank (20), atank inlet valve (23) for the inlet of pressurized air to the tank, atank discharge valve (21), a plurality of electrically-operated valvesand control means (4), characterized in that the aforesaid elements aregrouped into at least a first module (1) which includes the toilet bowl(10) and the cut-off valve (12) at the outlet from the toilet bowl, asecond module (2) which includes the tank (20), the vacuum generator(22), the tank inlet valve (23) for pressurized air and the tankdischarge valve (21), and a third module (3) which includes saidelectrically-operated valves, and in that within each module theelements are joined together and have fixed connections between eachother, while between one module and another there are fast-on hydraulicand pneumatic connection.
 2. A toilet as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that it further includes a fourth module (4), made upof all the control elements.
 3. A toilet as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that it further includes a fifth module (5) whichincludes a pump (50) for discharge of cleaning water to the toilet bowl(10).
 4. A toilet as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that eachmodule (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) also includes at least some of the accessoryelements of its components.
 5. A toilet as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the second module (2) is mounted on a supportingframe (6) which is attached in a suitable location, and the first module(1) is mounted on the second module (2) by means of two side supports(16), the toilet bowl (10) being mounted adjacent to the tank (20).